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Member of the Week: Diageo

17 Dec 2018

The world’s largest producer of spirits has announced that its annual World Class Bartender of the Year competition will take place in Glasgow in 2019.

The event, run by industry giant Diageo, is expected to bring cocktail makers from around the world to the city, and organisers expect the competition to bring an additional £1.5 million to the local economy.

Earlier this year, Orlando Marzo travelled from Australia to take the 2018 title at the World Class Globals in Berlin, beating 55 other finalists.

Global head of the World Class Global Finals, Emily Wheldon, said: “We are hugely proud to be bringing the World Class Bartender of the Year Global Finals to Scotland, the home of so many of Diageo’s much-loved spirits.

“Glasgow will be an exciting hub, and the perfect backdrop for the world’s best bartenders to show off their talent.”

Christine McCafferty, manager of Diageo’s archives commented: “Scotland is an amazing location to host the 11th World Class Global Finals – home to all our iconic Scotch, including Johnnie Walker, Talisker, The Singleton and Mortlach.

“The west coast of Scotland in particular holds a special place in the story of many of these brands. It was here that nearly 200 years ago bands like Johnnie Walker first left Scotland on their journey to bring their iconic taste to the four corners of the world.”

“For the world’s best bartenders to compete at the home of so many of their favourite spirits will add a brilliant extra incentive to this year’s competition.”

Earlier this week, Diageo also announced its new Learning for Life: Hospitality Elevator, due to launch in January. The training course is aimed at over-18s currently working as bartenders or front of house staff, with the aim of increasing their hours, level of responsibility and to develop skills which will aid their career development.

The course, which is free, will operate alongside Diageo’s award-winning Learning for Life: Hospitality and Bartending programme, which has seen over 1,200 previously unemployed candidates graduate and progress into careers in hospitality.